Labor will almost certainly hold the seat of Penrith for the first time since 2010 after Karen McKeown achieved a strong swing to the party at tonight’s State Election.
McKeown arrived at Labor’s election event at Penrith RSL early in the night and was visibly emotional as the reality of probable victory set in.
If she does win, McKeown will become the Member for Penrith at her second attempt, defeating sitting MP Stuart Ayres after narrowly losing to him at the 2019 election.
On a two party preferred basis, Labor has achieved a swing of around 3.5 per cent to it, wiping out the Coalition’s 0.6 per cent hold on the seat.
However, Ayres did not concede defeat tonight and said he would wait for further counting before accepting the likely result.
“The Electoral Commission has told us the two largest pre-poll booths are not going to be counted so there is about 11,000 votes in those two pre-polls that won’t be counted tonight,” he said.
“We know that there is already about 3,000 postal votes coming though. I don’t want to sugar coat this, it is a narrow path but I do think we need to let the Electoral Commission do its work over the coming days but can I say a very big thank-you to all of you.
“This has been a remarkable fight here in Penrith, I could not be prouder of this Liberal team that is before me.
“We’ve seen across the state that it is a pretty ugly night for the Liberal Party but here in Penrith we are still fighting. This is one of the closest results across the state and that’s because of you, the hard work and dedication you have all put in.”
McKeown accepted it was a close fight but accepted it was looking good for Labor in Penrith.
“I am feeling overwhelmed. I am very, very emotional, and I’m very humbled as well, because I know the people of Penrith have absolutely put their trust in me, and they’ve voted in overwhelming numbers. That is just a huge honour, and something I am looking to return tenfold,” she said.
“It’s close. The fight is close, and we’ve always known it would be close. Counting is still happening, but the good thing that I can say is, we will have a Labor government in NSW. That’s very, very clear from what we’re seeing tonight, and I’m just so glad to have played such a small part in that.”
It comes as Labor prepares to emerge from the political wilderness in New South Wales with Chris Minns to become Premier.
It is somewhat of a landslide victory with the results for the Coalition worse than many were predicting.
Outgoing Premier Dominic Perrottet praised Minns, saying he would make “a fine 47th Premier of NSW”.
“I believe he will lead with the same decency and the same integrity that he has led with so far,” Perrottet said.
Perrottet said the Coalition had delivered significant change over the last 12 years in New South Wales.
Dominic Perrottet concedes defeat at the Liberal Party’s NSW Election event at the Hilton in Sydney. #photo James Brickwood | @JamesBrickwood pic.twitter.com/L3lhnjLoCf
— SMH Photography (@photosSMH) March 25, 2023
“I am very proud to lead by Liberal team, but I stand on the shoulders of those who come before me – Barry O’Farrell, Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian,” he said.
“Their legacies are strong and New South Wales is a much better place for their leadership.”
Perrottet confirmed he would step down as Liberal leader.
Minns was introduced to the party faithful by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said he would be a “great Premier for the people of NSW”.
Minns said: “After 12 years in opposition, the people of New South Wales have voted for a fresh start.”
“We’ve been elected by the people of this state and we will govern for everyone in NSW. We know that the challenges are huge, we know the responsibilities are awesome, but NSW Labor is back and ready to govern in this great state.”
Chris Minns greeted by the Labor party faithful and press pack at Labor HQ #nswelection @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/d5AUq5gYGB
— Annalise Bolt (@AnnaliseBolt) March 25, 2023
In other local seats, Tanya Davies will hold the seat of Badgerys Creek (formerly Mulgoa) for the Liberals with a swing towards her, while Prue Car has easily retained Londonderry for Labor.
Labor candidate for Badgerys Creek, Garion Thain, said he was proud that Labor had formed government despite not being successful himself.
“When I came in tonight, I thought that state-wide, it was going to be really close. The fact that Penrith and the government were called by 8pm is just amazing,” he said.
“I’m so happy that after 12 years, we can say that we’ve won government back in NSW. I’ve known Prue Car and Karen since I was very young, and I am just so happy to see how well they’ve done tonight.”
John Thain said he was proud of his son’s campaign.
“I’m incredibly proud of what he’s been able to do in eight weeks. He really had a short campaign, but he made himself available, got to the electorate, and really got to know the electorate, so I’m incredibly proud. He’s done well in a short time,” he said.
Liberal candidate for Londonderry Samantha Talakola told the Weekender that she loved her first experience running which was an “intense journey” that she would do again.
“It is all about reflecting, learning and coming back stronger, and I am here for it,” she said.
Member for Badgerys Creek said she was “overjoyed” to retain the seat.
”I am very humbled by the strong support the community has shown me now for the fourth time,” Davies said.
“I am really quite lost for words to be honest but deeply grateful for the support throughout the whole electorate, and I am looking forward to Monday to just getting to work again.”
There is no doubt One Nation played a key role in the election in western Sydney. It has achieved significant swings to it in Penrith, Londonderry and Badgerys Creek.
– Additional reporting by Cassidy Pearce, Emily Feszczuk and Nathan Taylor
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
